European equity markets were set for a muted open on Friday as investors weighed the economic impact of ongoing global trade tensions and awaited fresh regional data.
In premarket trade, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures hovered flat to slightly positive.
Trade remains in focus after European Union officials stated Thursday that the bloc is pushing for a more comprehensive tariff reduction deal with the US than those currently being negotiated with the UK and China.
EU negotiators expressed confidence in the bloc’s economic leverage, signaling they will not be pressured into unfavorable terms. On the data front, investors are awaiting Eurozone trade balance figures for March, alongside Italy’s inflation rate and France’s unemployment data.
With no major corporate earnings on the docket, macroeconomic developments and trade headlines are likely to drive sentiment at the open.